I’ve always loved wolves. When Dr. Pinkola-Estes wrote “Women Who Run With The Wolves,” it was a landmark book about feminine mystique. She is a Jungian analyst. Carl Jung, Swiss Psychiatrist, saw symbolism in everything. And in the book, she too saw the deep symbolism of the wolf with women. After all? They both start with a “W.” Right? Right. And you can add the world “wild” to the mix, too. Wild Women. Wild Wolves. They are synonymous with one another.
There is a deep intuitiveness and natural wildness in all women, and maybe that’s why we vibe so strongly with wolves and wolf packs. Wolves, by nature are not loners, nor are humans, really. We’re social animals, also. And social animals need group, clan, tribe, team, family or group of friends to be happy and feel fulfilled.
I’ve had the good fortune to photograph Timber Wolves in Canada. The photo I’ve got with this blog is one of them. It was an alpha pair, male (gray, right) and female (white, left).
Everyone knows wolves are pack animals and they work together as a team toward one objective. I chose the wolf symbol for my latest release WOLF HAVEN precisely because of this symbolism and reality. Having wolf energy means that one’s will to survive is always close to their skin and nature. Further, it is the alpha male and female who procreate while the others do not. They become babysitters, instead.
One little known fact about wolves is that most people think all wolves have yellow eyes. In truth, they are born with BLUE eyes. And as they begin to mature, the eyes will change to yellow. But, even among wolves, there are the rare ones that will keep those beautiful blue eyes for the rest of their life.
Gracie, the alpha white female wolf in my book, has blue eyes and is instrumental in helping the heroine heal from her wounds and trauma. But she also brings out the heroine’s will to not only survive. But thrive. So typical of wolves, they are one of the toughest, most adaptable of all creatures. Wolf symbolism, then, is a wonderful foundation to pen a story.
Wolf Haven, HQN, by Lindsay McKenna, Wyoming Series, 12.1.2014
Ebook/paperback
Audio book available at audible.com
Visit her website: www.lindsaymckenna.com
